Taser used in terrifying Bundoora attack in Melbourne’s north

A YOUNG woman has told how masked figures emerged from the darkness and pulled open her car door before using a Taser to shock her friend in a terrifying roadside attack in Melbourne’s north.

A YOUNG woman has told how masked figures emerged from the darkness and pulled open her car door before using a Taser to shock her friend in a terrifying roadside attack.

Hospital pictures show how the armed robbery in Melbourne’s north left a 25-year-old student bloodied and burnt.

The woman with him ­during the attack said she was too terrified to be home alone.

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“It was something like a nightmare,” she told the ­Herald Sun.

The victim, a Mooroolbark man, was driving his friend to Bundoora shortly ­before 1am on Thursday when masked men surrounded their car.

“They started giving (her friend) something like an electric shock,” the woman said.

“He was struggling.

“He just started bleeding from the head … I just started yelling for help.”

A 25-year-old man was attacked with a taser. Picture: Supplied

He was left bloodied after the bashing. Picture: Supplied

The offenders fled when a neighbour heard the woman’s screams and came to help.

Both victims were too afraid to reveal their identities.

Up to six men “boxed in” the pair’s car on Gonella Crescent in Bundoora.

The youths pulled open the doors and tried to drag driver and passenger from their seats.

“They just opened the doors and started yelling at us and screaming and started hitting my friend,” the woman said.

Investigators have found it difficult to confirm a description of the young offenders as they wore hooded jumpers and masks.

Police believe they had taken off in two cars. One they identified as an early-model hatchback.

Detectives said the offenders were believed to be in their late teens or early 20s.

“They looked like high school students, pretty young,” the woman said. “It was pitch dark.”

Detective Senior Constable Craig Hall said police were ­investigating whether a Taser had caused the burn to the man’s arm.

“He’s got injuries consistent with a Taser mark,” Sen-Constable Hall said. “It’s very shocking, it’s horrifying for the victims.”

It was unclear whether the victims had been followed prior to the attack.

The thugs were disturbed by a good Samaritan who has since come forward to police to help their investigation following a public call for information this morning.

The victim received stitches at hospital. Picture: Supplied

His car was boxed in before the attack. Picture: Supplied

“He’s heard some screaming, he’s come over, he’s confronted the offenders and they’ve then fled in their own vehicle,” Sen-Constable Hall said.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

HAMPTON PARK ATTACK NOT ‘TASER’

Meanwhile, Victoria Police has confirmed a taser was not used during a daylight robbery in Hampton Park yesterday.

In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon Victoria Police said a gang of teens, of African appearance, used a conductive energy device (CED) to rob a teen of cash and his mobile phone.

However, after investigators reviewed further evidence they believe a CED was not used.

Another statement released by Victoria Police on Thursday afternoon said: “In relation to the Hampton Park matter, investigators were initially of the belief a CED was used however, upon reviewing further evidence, they are not satisfied the weapon was a CED. We have amended the media release accordingly.”

Police are in pursuit of a group of five to six youths over that Hampton Park holdup.

Victoria Police spokeswoman Creina O’Grady said the teens were “male and perceived to be of African appearance, wearing dark hooded tops, possibly black or dark green, with the zippers up covering their lower faces.”

Local residents said they were living in fear as a result of the level of crime plaguing the area.

The victim, 17, was walking along Fordholm Rd at 2.20pm on Wednesday when the gang struck.

One of the youths threatened him, demanding he hand over his mobile phone, and then attacked boy, hitting him in the leg.

The gang then fled with the victim’s mobile phone and a small amount of cash.

Local mum Sam Harris told the Herald Sun that gangs were a problem in the area.

“I’m worried for my kids. I’m worried something will happen to me,” she said.

“The kids around here have got nothing to do, so of course they get in gangs and do stuff like this.”

The mother of six said that after moving to the area she had learned taekwondo so she would be able to defend herself.

“Every month there’s something: shooting, murders, robbery. It’s not safe for families,” she said.

Ms Harris said she planned to move to Queensland next month.

“I just want to get out of this place. It’s not safe any more.”

David, who did not want to give his last name, said authorities needed to crack down on thugs. “They’ll catch them and put them straight back on the street — it’s a disgrace,” he said.

Last year the Herald Sun revealed young thugs were arming themselves with stun guns to commit violent crimes.

In March 2017, police investigated a series of robberies in which youths of African appearance on pushbikes threatened to fire stun guns at people.

Police had also received reports that the group had carried out a string of street robberies and thefts, including from a clothing store, using stun guns.

Four teenagers were later charged over a theft in Chapel St, South Yarra. It is illegal to possess a stun gun in Victoria without written permission from Victoria Police.

But authorities believe the weapons are being imported by overseas visitors or bought online through the mail.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.